Raider Salute from Campus Dining

Campus Dining Services would like to salute Tom Smith, Bob Green, Gary Natte  and the entire facilities crew, Vicki Janowiak, Gilda Gely, Art Johnson, Shelly Urbane and their departments for their extra efforts and support for this past week’s progressive reception.

With the college being closed on January 6 and 7, each one of them stepped up and went above and beyond to ensure that the event went as smooth as possible with snow clearing, set up and additional resources that were needed.

A huge thank you from Dan Zehr and the Campus Dining staff.

GRCC In the News, 1-13-14

See ice sculptors battle warmer weather in Downtown Holland competition

Jan. 12, 2014; MLive

(Photo gallery includes pictures of GRCC competitors Levi Knoll and Jessica Miller.)

Mayor Heartwell’s State of the City Speech

Jan. 11, 2014; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, (WZZM) – This is the transcript to Mayor George Heartwell’s 11th State of the City Address Saturday morning:

… We can also build on the talent we have right here in Grand Rapids … those men and women with some college under their belts who, for whatever reasons, had to discontinue that degree work before completion. You can go back to school. You can complete that degree. By doing so you improve your chances for economic security and you add significantly to the vitality of your community’s economy. Our community college, private colleges, and state universities have agreements in place to transfer credits easily to ensure Associate and Baccalaureate degrees. Other initiatives like GRCC’s Alpha Beta Omega program for African American males, and their Fast Track and TRIO programs exemplify the ways to help students complete college.

Award-winning West Michigan jazz quartet Brad Fritcher + trois going for it with creative modern jazz

Jan. 10, 2014; The Holland Sentinel

Holland, Mich. — At first blush, growing up on a 300-acre Michigan farm doesn’t sound like an ideal breeding ground for a jazz musician.

… “Right when I met Dutcher, we clicked right away,” recalls (Brad) Fritcher, a Flint native who plans to complete his college degree at Grand Valley State University, where Snedeker and upright bassist Ryan Wallace are students. Drummer Christian Van Duinen attends Grand Rapids Community College. “It’s just been a good mix. We all have the same sense of humor.”

Wellness Department extends ‘thanks’

The Wellness Department wants to extend a huge thank you for all the support and feed back regarding Faculty Learning Day. If we can help in any way support your “Wellness” journey please contact us.

 

Body fat clinic set for January 21

The Wellness Department is hosting a body fat clinic next Tuesday, January 21st, from 11-1pm at the Ford Fieldhouse. No appointment necessary, just drop in! Please email Jodi Gee with questions, jgee@grcc.edu.

 

Utility work could snarl traffic for next few weeks

As you may now be aware, there is underground utility work taking place near the Devos Campus. The road closures are affecting Fulton Street and Prospect Avenue. Fulton Street westbound is down to one lane causing significant traffic backups westbound in to downtown from Prospect. Prospect Avenue is completely closed northbound at Fulton Street to just north of the first driveway into the Administration Building parking lot.

Staff and faculty can enter the Administration lot and Sneden staff lot from the driveway off Fulton east of the Admin Bldg (between White Hall and the Admin Bldg). Though traffic back ups will probably make that turn difficult.

You can access the Admin lot via Prospect Avenue from the north, by going around the barricade at Fountain Street traveling southbound on Prospect to the parking lot. Traveling on Prospect could be congested with cars traveling both ways on reduced traffic lanes. If employees park in the Sneden lot you may want to exit via the exit drive at the top of the ramp east of the Mable Engle house … of course that will put you on Fulton.

We have also noticed a delay with the Rapid shuttle buses this morning due to traffic congestion on Fulton Street. We apologize for the late notice; we were not notified by the city of this closure.

Music class for 3-, 4-year-olds starts January 17

Arts Outreach music program is offering a music class for 3 and 4 year olds on Fridays at 1:30 pm in the GRCC Music Center starting this Friday, January 17, 2014.

“Tiny Twinklers” is a parent and child music exploration class. The class is designed to provide a joyful musical experience for preschoolers by introducing building blocks of music through singing, movement and rhythmic instruments. Suzuki method repertoire and instrument petting zoo are included.

Class will be held on Fridays 1:30-2:15 pm on January 17-April 4 (12 sessions) in the GRCC Music Center. Cost is $120. Please email grccao@gmail.com or visit website for more info.

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GRCC dodgeball tournament to help American Cancer Society

Relive your playground days and help a good cause!

GRCC Athletics is hosting a coed dodgeball tournament on January 25 to benefit the American Cancer Society. Teams should have three men and three women, with a guaranteed four matches. Entry forms are due January 16. For details, click here.

Scholarships available for Deconstruction Program

Reuse, repurpose and recycle is hot in the world of construction — and GRCC can give you the skills you need to enter this growing field.

GRCC’s Deconstruction Program focuses on processes used to dismantle a building or home with the goal of preserving reusable materials and reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfills. This training is a perfect add-on skill if you are already working in the construction trades. Scholarships of $500 are available while supplies last!

The program uses a nationally recognized curriculum from the National Center for Construction Education and Research and combines on-site and hands-on training with classroom studies. The program also explores “green collar” careers and entrepreneurial opportunities such as historic restoration and preservation, weatherization skills, land reclamation, resale and remanufacturing using reclaimed materials, and lead hazard remediation.

Certificates that can be earned include:

• National Career Readiness Certificate.
• Lead Supervisor.
• Asbestos Removal.
• OSHA 30-hour – General Contractor.
• Working at Height.
• CPR/First Aid Certification.

The course begins January 27. To learn more or to register, click here.

Condolences to Yolanda Duncan

Condolences to Yolanda Duncan, a counselor in Disability and Occupational Support, on the death of her husband, Dr. Lonnie E. Duncan. Sympathy cards may be sent to: 5209 Driftwood Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49009.

To read the obituary, click here.

Party celebrates art museum’s new exhibit

GRCC received this special invite from the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Check it out if you can!

The After Party (Public Preview!) for Legacy: The Emily Fisher Landau Collection

Grand Rapids Art Museum

January 31, 2014

9:30 pm – 12:00 midnight

Galleries stay open until midnight! Invite your friends to preview the new exhibition, Legacy: The Emily Fisher Landau Collection and enjoy a cash bar and music by The Boogiman.

COST:
GRCC Students, Staff and Faculty free with Raider Card, GRAM Members free, non-members $5 cover

For more information please visit the Facebook event page

ABO donates toys to MLK students

Members of GRCC’s Alpha Beta Omega collected over $500 in toys to donate to Martin Luther King School in Grand Rapids. ABO has implemented a reading program for fourth- and fifth-graders at MLK and they wanted to make sure that all of their young students received a gift this holiday season.

 

2014 Student Leadership Awards

Please take the time over the next of couple of weeks to nominate students and staff/faculty for the available leadership awards. Criteria for the awards can be found on the Student Life web page. The deadline for nominations is Friday, February 14, 2014.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT ADDRESSES DIABETES

This 5-part Diabetes Prevention Series from the Kent County Health Department is intended to help employees begin reducing their risk of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Participants will experience optimum benefit if all 5 lessons in the series are attended. The workshops will be taught by a Registered Dietitian and a Public Health Educator from the Kent County Health Department. This series offers practical actions employees can take to have a brighter, healthier future without diabetes.

Making healthy lifestyle changes can help prevent type 2 diabetes. This course, created by the Michigan Department of Community Health and based on the National Diabetes Prevention Program, empowers students to set their own goals and make change happen. Participants will learn how food choices and exercise can help reduce blood sugar and the risk of diabetes and its complications. Individuals with or without a pre-diabetes diagnosis will benefit.

Learning Objectives: Providing education in the following core areas:

• Setup goals
• Physical activity
• Food choices
• Maintaining your health

Lesson 1: 

“Getting Started With Diabetes Prevention”

Thu Jan 16, 2014 from 12-1:30 PM in Room 125/127 CSC

Lesson 2:

“Making the Most of Your Food Choices”

Thu Feb 13, 2014 from 12-1:30 PM in Room 125/127 CSC

Lesson 3:

“Keep Moving!”

Thu Mar 13, 2014 from 12-1:30 PM in Room 125/127 CSC

Lesson 4:

“Taking Charge of What’s Around You”

Thu Apr 10, 2014 from 12-1:30 PM in Room 125/127 CSC

Lesson 5:

“Keep it Going!”

Thu May 8, 2014 from 12-1:30 PM in Room 125/127 CSC

Open to all GRCC Staff and Faculty. Please register online at http://www.grcc.edu/staffdevelopment/currentlearningopportunitiesregistration or call Staff Development at ext. 4285 for assistance.